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Signs of Babesia

Babesia is one of various types of a microscopic parasites infecting red blood cells and resulting in Babesiosis, a rare and severe tick-borne disease. The disease can sometimes be fatal, according to the New York State Department of Health. Cases of the disease usually occur in coastal areas in the northeastern United States, particularly on Long Island in New York State and Nantucket Island off the Massachusetts coast where the first case was reported in 1969. However, cases have also been reported in California, Georgia, Wisconsin, Missouri, some European counties and parts of Asia.

  1. Initial Symptoms

    • Symptoms are similar to Lyme disease and range from unrecognizably mild to extremely severe and are often confused with malaria, according to the Stanford University website. One to four weeks after a babesia-infected tick bite, the disease often starts with chills and fever. The disease can be more severe to the elderly, people with weak immune systems and those who have had their spleen removed.

    Disease Progression

    • When the infection progresses there is a wide range of symptoms, according to the Standford University website. This includes a general feeling of malaise and fatigue, anorexia, fever and sweats, liver problems, nausea and vomiting, respiratory problems, muscle aches, hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia, hemoglobinuria, hyperesthesia and raised levels of billirubin, dehydrogenase and transaminase. Renal and congestive heart failure is also a possibility. However, the disease can occur without showing any symptoms.

    Transmission

    • Babesia microti appears to be the most common piroplasm that affects red blood cells. Scientists have identified more than twenty tick-carried piroplasms. Babesiosis transmission occurs after being bitten by an infected deer tick (Ixodes scapularis). Ticks may be infected only with Babesia or ticks can carry both Babesia along with Lyme spirochetes. A contaminated blood transfusion can also be the cause of getting Babesiosis.

    Types of Babesia

    • Microscopic examinations are used to attempt to identify the parasites in red blood cells. This method, however, only works if done within the first two weeks of infection. Current commercial tests work for only three species of Babesia. There is a good chance that many more species are yet to be discovered, according to the California Lyme Disease Association website. Treatment may last for several months and relapses can occur.

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